Mark Johnston
Based in Singapore, Mark is an experienced journalist and editor with over a decade of experience reporting on technology and business trends throughout Asia. Mark got his start as an engineer, graduating from the UK's Queen's University of Belfast with a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. As senior reporter for Regulation Asia, Mark focuses on regulatory changes impacting financial markets, with particular interest in fintech, cybersecurity and crypto markets.
Articles by Mark Johnston
Payments & Settlements
Standard Bank Becomes First African Firm to Secures RMB Clearing Status
07/08/2026
The bank has been appointed an official Renminbi clearing bank for Africa and is rolling out direct access to China's CIPS payment system in key markets.
Supervision & Enforcement
China Starts Enforcing 20 Percent Tax on Offshore Insurance Gains
06/08/2026
The move, part of a wider crackdown on capital flight, has spooked investors despite officials calling it an enforcement of existing law.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
Korea Mandates Cross-Sector Data Sharing to Fight Voice Phishing
06/08/2026
New rules give legal backing to the ASAP platform, allowing financial, telecom, and police data to be shared without user consent.
CBDCs
Korea CBDC Pilot to Leverage Toss Payments for Merchant Checkouts
06/08/2026
Consortium will test a blockchain-based payment system using existing infrastructure, aiming to reduce merchant fees and improve public fund management.
Structural Regulation
Taiwan Drafts Rules for Onshore Support of Foreign Asset Managers
05/08/2026
The proposed rules would allow local investment firms to provide specified administrative and agency services to foreign managers targeting institutional clients.
Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime
China Launches Campaign Targeting Online Financial Crime
05/08/2026
A new one-year crackdown on organised crime will increase oversight of banks and internet platforms to combat illegal lending and online extortion.
Anti-Money Laundering
Taiwan to Implement FATF ‘Travel Rule’ for Virtual Assets
05/08/2026
New rules will be phased in from October 2026, requiring virtual asset firms to collect, transmit, and verify sender and receiver data.
Supervision & Enforcement
Korea Moves to Block Illegal Offshore Crypto Exchanges Like Scam Sites
05/08/2026
Regulators are developing a new framework that prioritises blocking platforms linked to confirmed financial crime, marking a shift in enforcement strategy.
Conduct, Culture & Accountability
Taiwan Expands Consumer Protection Rules to More Leasing Firms
05/08/2026
The FSC will bring another 12 finance and leasing companies under its consumer protection framework, continuing a phased effort to regulate the sector.
CBDCs
China and Malaysia Test e-CNY in Cross-Border Trade Settlement
04/08/2026
A durian shipment paid for with e-CNY highlights China's progress in building alternative payment corridors.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
An exclusive weekly selection of top stories from the Regulation Asia editorial team.